Plainview, NY (openPR) 19 June 2009

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States today. If you are diagnosed with one of the 150,000 cases of colorectal cancer each year are a new examination of the K-RAS gene mutation will help identify your oncologist medications that will help. That is the conclusion of two recent American Society of Clinical Oncology and National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Olga Falkowski, MD, a pathologist and a certificate of Associate Medical Director Acupath Laboratories, Inc., which conducts research leading molecular and immunohistochemical studies, okay. “Until recently the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer by the results of controlled clinical trials was determined. Well, the progress in the identification and understanding of the molecular and biochemical events that led to the development of cancer and tumor growth, may mean treatment of cancer an individual’s biology oriented. “

What are the genes K-RAS?

K-RAS is a protein encoded by the K-RAS gene. The protein product of the gene non-mutated K-RAS plays a critical role in normal tissue signals. K-RAS gene are mutated powerful “oncogenes (genes that accelerate cell division), which play a role in many cancers. A single amino acid substitution is responsible for the activation of a mutation. The protein resulting transformation is involved in various tumors, including colorectal cancer.


Why important

mutation testing?

Dr Falkowski said, “gene mutation test is currently the most reliable way to predict whether a patient with colorectal cancer respond to any of the drugs inhibit the EGFR – such as cetuximab (Erbitux) and panitumumab (Vectibix) – most commonly used in the treatment of colorectal cancer. (EGFR is the receptor for epidermal growth factor.)

“Analysis of KRAS mutation is an important step towards providing cost-effective, individualized therapies for patients with cancer,” she says.

What this means for the treatment of colorectal cancer?

A study conducted recently in The New England Journal of Medicine published reports that patients without a positive mutation usually respond to treatment with EGFR-name drugs, while patients with the mutated gene does. The study also revealed that 20 percent and 50 percent of colon tumors tested positive for mutated K-Ras gene.


In patients with advanced

, metastatic colorectal cancer, which no standard chemotherapy for their disease and who had no other treatment was available were randomly assigned to receive either cetuximab or other treatment (except better supportive care) for their disease.


Patients treated with cetuximab

chronic medication is completed to advanced cancer or could not tolerate the therapy. Then the researchers examined tumor samples from patients for the mutation of K-RAS, are from four to ten patients in both groups it was.

More importantly, they discovered:

Patients with K-RAS mutation survived an average of 4.5 months, regardless of whether they had received cetuximab.
The patients without K-RAS mutation survived an average of 9.6 months, when they were treated with cetuximab and 4.8 months long, if they received only supportive care.

patients without K-ras gene mutation doubled their survival time by receiving cetuximab. These patients also have better than others on the notes of life.

What does this mean for me?

“Now there is a genetic marker identified which predicts – even if it does not guarantee – a special treatment to prolong life and quality for the majority of patients with advanced colorectal cancer without gene mutation, K- RAS, “said Dr Falkowski.” Doctors also examine cetuximab as first line treatment for colorectal cancer and chemotherapy, and are not just for use in the absence of other treatment options. With this knowledge, patients can with colorectal cancer work with their doctor for tests fast and the best treatment for their disease. “


What are the causes

cancer?

Although the exact causes of colorectal cancer are not scientists begin to understand how certain changes in DNA can cause normal cells to cancer cells are known. DNA is the chemical in each of our cells, from which our genes – the instructions work, how our cells. Some genes contain instructions for controlling when our cells grow, divide and die themselves. The genes that accelerate cell division are called “oncogenes.” Others, the slow cell division in the cells down or even death are tumor suppressor genes “, may. Cancers are caused by mutations in the DNA” Delete on “oncogenes or” “tumor suppressor genes.

In most cases of colorectal cancer, DNA mutations that lead to cancer, whereas a person’s life have been inherited rather than acquired. And although it does not seem to get a clear path for colorectal cancer are in many cases the first mutation in the APC gene. This leads to an increase in the growth of colorectal cells because the loss of the “brake” on growth in small cells. Other mutations in genes can occur, such as K-RAS, which the cells grow uncontrollably and spread.

Bio: Olga Falkowski, MD.

Dr. Falkowski is Board Certified in anatomic and clinical pathology by the American Board of Pathology. She is the head of the pathology unit of the breast and the Associate Medical Director Acupath Laboratories in Plainview, NY. Before he Acupath in 2005 Falkowski has served as a visiting pathologist at the Long Iceland Jewish Medical Center. Previously, she was a pathologist at New York University School of Medicine, where they participate in a surgical fellowship. Falkowski received his medical degree and completed his residency in general pathology of the first medical school in Moscow in Russia. She then completed her residency in anatomic pathology and clinical Saint Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center and University Hospital of Columbia University in New York City.

Dr. Falkowski as an associate professor at New York University School of Medicine, Hofstra University and served the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She is currently a member of the College of American Pathologists and the United States and Canada Academy of Pathology.

Dr. Falkowski is a writer and lecturer for chest diseases and often speaks with the media on issues of diagnosis of breast cancer. See www.acupath.com for more information.


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Treatment of colorectal cancer